313 of 365 - Time Alone

…[God] was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. Galatians 1:16
 
In the battle for the hearts and minds of the Galatians, Paul is relentless. It is him versus all the false teachers that came behind him. It is critical they remember where the true Gospel they heard and believed came from; that they don’t look at it as just Paul’s word versus another man’s word. It is God’s Word.

Paul reminds them it was not preached to him. It was not received by man. It was not something he was taught. It came directly from Jesus (Acts 9:1-19).

What Paul tells us about his actions after receiving the revelation from Jesus is not to be overlooked. He did not immediately consult with anyone or go to Jerusalem to confer with the other apostles.

Instead, he went away. Alone. To the desert in Arabia. For three years.

Paul’s world was rocked. Everything he thought was true was turned upside down. Paul knew all of the Jewish law, customs, Scriptures – most even by memory – but he didn’t know Jesus. He wanted to learn from Jesus – the One the law pointed to; the One who fulfilled the law.

Paul needed time to process and reevaluate everything about this new revelation. Like the apostles in Jerusalem -- the ones who walked with Jesus three years and were specifically appointed by Him -- Paul needed quality time with Jesus.
 
Paul eventually does consult with Peter and James, leaders of this new Christian movement, after three years. Paul knows consultation with wise and Godly counsel is important. But FIRST, he is alone with God the Son.

Challenge: Has God revealed something to you? As tempting as it is to run to another teacher or consult human advice, run to God first. Spend that quiet time in conversation with Him. Process it with God first.